my anchor?" "I have found an anchor," he answered. "Yes,
that is mine, and I told your son I would give you half-a-crown if you
brought it here." "I have found an anchor, and I'll not give it up under
five shillings," said the man; and their argument and remonstrance
gradually enveloped the subject in a hazy abstruseness, while the usual
knot of idlers listened all round. At length N. said, "Come, now, we
really must settle this matter. I'll _fight you_ as to whether I am to
pay five shillings or nothing for the anchor," and he took off his coat
and waistcoat, so it was plain he was in earnest. The other man stripped
too, a ring was formed, and after N., worsted at first, had well thrashed
his opponent, the latter gave up the anchor. Here, perhaps, we might
think the case had ended, but N. had still a point to be settled, saying
to the man, "Your bargain was not only to give up the anchor, but to
_bring it here_;" and as the fellow refused to do this, the valiant N.
cut the second discussion short by saying, "Well, then, I'll fight you
again as to who shall carry it up," and it need scarcely be said that the
anchor was not carried up by N.

Is there any other country but England where two men can pummel each
other in hard earnest, and yet with less passion at the time, and less
grudge afterwards than often exists for years between two combatants who
battle with their tongues, or even fight with their pens and post-stamps?

As anchors are important parts of one's equipment, I had begun early to
experiment at once with mine, and the small one had been tried once as a
kedge. With the first heave it broke off short; the stock had snapped in
the place which ought to be the strongest, but which is really made the
weakest, by the present faulty construction of anchor-stocks. The _memo_
in my log-book was, "Invent a proper anchor;" and even at Cowes I could
not find any plan that met this need. {211}

Before the end of my voyage, a score of minutiae as well as things of
some importance were marked as lines for great improvement, when a
nautico-mechanical brain shall be brought to bear upon them. The mental
consideration of such points afforded varied subjects for many weeks'
thought. Indeed _all_ the fittings of a sailing-boat seem open to much
improvement. Meanwhile we have laid down the large Trotman as moorings
in the Medina, while we range about the bays of the island with the
smaller anchor duly repaired.